Category Archives: Destinations

Touring Historic Sites, Bethlehem, PA

By Bobbie Green

Whiletouring American historic sites, Bethlehem Pennsylvania, in Lehigh Valley offered
a unique look at a settlement of Moravian immigrants from Germany originating
in 1741.

They came to the colonies of America for
economic growth. Here they were also free to practice, teach and grow their
religion. The group consisted of educated and skilled tradesman along with
their families.  The Bethlehem
Partnership has preserved their rich heritage and historic sites.

The idyllic
setting along Monocacy Creek offers visitors a short trip back in time. Docents
who give the short walking tour dress in period clothing making it easy to
imagine yesteryear in the quint village bustling with people in antiquated
clothing. Because the group was educated and skilled, …

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Journey to America’s Hallowed Ground
Vicksburg National Military Park
By Bobbie Green

Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the 47-day siege and defense of Vicksburg during the Civil War. There are many sites in America that one can call hallowed ground because of its history.  One of the most emotional and worthwhile sites to visit is the Vicksburg National Military Park, known as “Art park of the world” because of the 1330 monuments and markers it contains. 

Amazingly there are many Americans who do not know this place even exist and it is a phenomenal place to visit for young and old alike. I don’t believe any American leaves there untouched by some part of our history encountered there. Along with a visitors center there …

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San Diego Fulfills Leisure Time Expectations.
By Bobbie Green

When the snow is piled high in other parts of the world, the mild year-round weather in close by Southern California city of San Diego is a big draw to tourist. When triple digits hit the desert this cooler coastal town lures desert dwellers to a get-away vacation there.

San Diego offers a fun time anytime. If the weather is too cool to swim or ski in the beautiful Mission Bay, you can always enjoy the fifteen museums in Balboa Park.  This time around we went to the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. What a delightfully fun place.  The local model railroad clubs set up the intricate and very detailed displays …

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Sedona, AZ Enchants Visitors
By Bobbie Green

Sedona Arizona has enchanted over a million visitors with its red rock formations, beautifully sculpted though millions of years. The ancient Native Americans believed the area to be sacred land and their ancient ruins are scattered thought out the region.

Today Sedona is a culture center for the arts and home to many famous artists. Visitors enjoy four-star resorts, restaurants and championship golf courses. Sedona offers one-of-a-kind shopping and has many state and national parks nearby. The area is made for tourism.

A must for visitors is one of the …

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It Was A Revolutionary Civil War: My Visit To Valley Forge & Gettysburg
By Ron Kapon

I recently experienced two historic years: 1777 and 1863 involving George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.  I combined two invitations into a condensed four-day lesson in rather specific American history. …

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Oklahoma City

Grand Canyon

RUSSIA

ALPHABET SOUP 1

Mount Carmel Junction, Utah Center for Near-by Attractions
By Bobbie Green

Mount Carmel Junction is proving to be the perfect base location for near-by attractions. Located 12 miles from the east entrance to Zion National Park and from the west and I-15 one drives through the beautiful park to reach the less crowded Mount Carmel Junction and begin your fun get-a-way.

Coming from I-15 Hwy 9 goes through the quaint little town of Springdale, the western gateway to Zion National Park where one may want to stop and shop in the many gift and art shops. I can recommend Oscars Deli for lunch. However they were so busy I could not find out …

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A pleasant getaway suitable for the whole family is a trip to see Nevada history. This small town that once held the attention of the world, Virginia City, famous for its mother load of gold and maker of dreams come true now draws attention for its ability to relay the past to future generations.

Take the scenic route on 341 into Virginia City and plan to spend a full day, even overnight if your time allows. There is plenty of history here to explore.

The streets are paved, but the buildings are original. Boardwalks are still handling the pedestrian traffic. This wild city that once consisted of mostly saloons, gambling hall and bordellos similarly attracted the known gunfighters and gamblers of …

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Awesome Venezia: Truly the most poetic pedestrian city in the world.  Even though it has been written about many times over, the first time visitor will
Still be shocked by the amount of tourist all afoot and the pigeons in St Marks Square.  The city built long ago on tree trunks bound together to keep the islands from sinking. The only means of transportation is by boat through the canals. There are no roads. There is no room for automobiles and bicycles are not allowed. Sitting afloat in a beautiful lagoon, Venice is an unparalleled world of its own.

Most first time visitors here are walking around in complete awe, while digesting their geographical location and the objects erected upon it. Certainly …

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Travel along the coastal Viking Route among the Shetlands and Orkney Islands and the coast of Scotland and you will take a journey back to the Stone Age. There much ancient history of mankind to explore here. Visitors to this area are amazed to see there is so much more than golf courses in Scotland. The entire area is an archaeologist dream.

The first hint of the world you are about to explore is the terrain. You will see green rolling hills dotted with ancient burial mounds, and miles and miles of beautiful stone fences, but very few trees. .It does take awhile for one to notice the trees are missing. They say long ago there were trees, but it is …

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Palm Springs- Paradise in the Desert

Ron Kapon

It had been five years since I last visited Palm Springs (43,000 people) and boy how it has changed!  Located about 110 miles east of Los Angeles and 140 miles northeast of San Diego, it is one of nine adjacent cities that make up the Coachella Valley (Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Desert etc).  The valley covers an area southeast from the San Bernardino Mountains to the saltwater Salton Sea, the largest lake in California.  The San Andreas Fault crosses the valley which is sometime called “The Desert Empire”.  The Agua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indians has lived …

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Ouray, Colorado’s High County

When the air tempter goes up in the west, vacationers head up to the high country to cool down. The town of Silverton Colorado is a well-known favorite of many. Do not by pass going on to Ouray, just 25 miles up the Million Dollar highway from Silverton also know as highway 550. Ouray, named after the Ute Indian Chief, is a fun town everyone old and young will enjoy. Although known as the American Alps, and a winter wonderland. I found much more to acquaint myself with than just the beautiful mountain scenery during the non-winter months.

Autumn would be the perfect time to enjoy the short trip to Box Canyon Park, just a few blocks from …

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By RON KAPON

I was looking for a place to visit for five days that would allow me to write several stories. It was early summer so sun and warmth were not important and I did not want to travel through many time zones nor fly for more than five hours. I thought about Costa Rica, Nassau, Dominican Republic, and Aruba among others but eventually chose Guatemala. Its reputation for making great rums, especially Zacapa and Botran, and their Mayan heritage both would make interesting articles. Mexico is to the northwest; Belize to the northeast, Honduras and the Atlantic Ocean on the east; El Salvador and the Pacific Ocean to the south. In Guatemala there are 21 Mayan ethnic groups with …

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The Mexican Mayan Riviera
by Ron Kapon

The Mexican Mayan Riviera- what a public relation dream of a name. One might think of the French or Italian Riviera, but here it is all about the beach, sun and water. Let’s get the geography lesson out of the way; Quintana Roo is a state in Southeastern Mexico on the eastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula with a population of 1,135,000 million. The Caribbean Sea is to the east and the nation of Belize is to the south. If the name Quintana Roo is not familiar, look at some of the cities contained within the state; Cancun, Playa del Carmen and the island of Cozumel. Plus there are the Mayan Ruins at Tulum, Ichpaatan, …

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By Bobbie Green
The opening of the William Clinton Presidential Museum a little over 2 years ago has presented the city of Little Rock Arkansas with a surge in tourism and they are rolling out the welcome mat. 2007 will be a big year for the city as they will also be remembering the 50th anniversary of the integration of Central High School in September.
Little Rock is not a “touristy” town yet. But there are notable historic reasons to make a visit. All presidential libraries are significant and the Clinton Presidential Center and Park are no exception. The “Bridge to the Future” is a wealth of information inside with a penetratingly visual effect to the eye of the beholder …

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By RON KAPON
New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta and Los Angeles may be the finalists, but the winner is Las Vegas. There are 120 Master Sommeliers in the world (wine knowledge and blind tastings are part of the rigorous exam). 74 of them live in the USA; 13 of whom work in Las Vegas. There are celebrity chefs who promote their TV shows, books, clothing lines, pizza etc and rarely turn on a stove. I have eliminated the two most prominent examples from this discussion. If you put your name on a restaurant you should be there working at least half the time. There are 76 Wine Spectator Grand Award winning restaurants world-wide and 4 are in Las Vegas; 28 …

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Russia’s Peasant Heritage                                    
By Bobbie Green
St Petersburg and Moscow are not the only great places in Russia to visit. Situated in the north-west region of Lake Onega is Kizhi Island, home to an outdoor museum of fascinating edifices of northern wooden architecture. Typical non-city life is displayed here past and present. About 50 people live here year round through the unmerciful winter, when the temperature drops to 35 & 40 degrees below zero.
What a visitors delight come summer, the beautiful island welcomes visitors to explore Russian life. The tranquil island itself has a calming effect making one almost reluctant to leave it. Officially it is called the State Historical, Architectural and Ethnographic Preserve of Kizhi. Original structures were brought …

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BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS . . .
A Taste of Kangaroo Island
By Marcie J. Bushnell

A narrow-leaf mallee (Eucalyptus cneorifolia) oil distillery, a speciality cheese dairy, a Ligurian honey bee establishment, a marron (fresh water crayfish) farm, and a liqueur called Island Sting serve up a unique sensory experience to visitors touring Kangaroo Island. Two hours south of Adelaide, South Australia, Kangaroo Island is the third largest island off the Australian mainland, (93 miles long by 33 miles wide). K.I. is one of the best places in the southern hemisphere to enjoy some highly specialized culinary delights. Opportunities to bond with all manner of fur, fin and feathers add to the adventure.

Sealink Kangaroo Island offers comprehensive day and half-day tours …

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By Bobbie Green
Glenwood Springs Colorado

Are you looking for a getaway without flying? Try the drive to Glenwood Springs Colorado.  From the Mesquite/St George area it is approximately 1250 miles round trip, the long way around.  We took 8 days with plenty of side trips. But you may choose to take Hwy 15 north to Hwy 70 over and back with maybe one scenic detour over Beaver Mountain, less mileage and time will be needed.

Do allow time to stop at the rest stops along Hwy 70. The fantastic views are alive with twisted desert trees and rock formations.  You will also find the native Indians selling their beautiful pottery at reasonable prices. Should you want to break up the drive and …

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It is two months now since my heart operation; 1 ½ months after I returned from South Africa.  I get a phone call from someone I do not know and who seems to know me solely by reputation. What are you doing next week he inquired? Why teaching and running a wine event, I answered. Would you like to go to Friuli Italy staying at a castle and eating, drinking and touring for six days? And by the way, we need your answer by tomorrow. I ask my partners to cover the wine tasting; arrange for the administrative assistant at the college to supervise my class and voila, I was off to Italy. Delta has …

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My Trip to St. Martin & St. Barths

Ron Kapon

St. Maarten, St. Martin, Sint Maarten, St. Barts, St. Barths and Saint Barthelemy are all spellings I saw during my four days on the two almost adjacent islands. Throw in Guadeloupe and Martinique and you have a bit of France in the Caribbean. Several airlines fly from the New York area to St. Maarten. It is the smallest piece of land shared by two countries. Sint Maarten/St.Maarten is the Dutch spelling; St. Martin/Saint Martin the French version. The international airport (very modern and fully air-conditioned) is on the Dutch side with a regional airport at Grand Case, on …

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Ron Kapon
A romantic past- An exciting present- A golden future.
I remember last summer having dinner with the new Cyprus Trade Commissioner Aristos Constantine and telling him most people had no idea where Cyprus was located. Yes, it is situated in the northwestern Mediterranean, at the crossroads of the three continents of Europe, Asia and Africa. Yes, it is the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia. Is it one of the Greek Islands? NO, but where is it? July 19th, 2006 ‘the government of the Republic of Cyprus launched a major effort to support the evacuation of U.S. citizens and others fleeing war-torn Lebanon for the safety of Cyprus.’ There was CNN, FOX, NBC and many …

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By Bobbie Green
What is an alpine zoo? All the wildlife in it are creatures that normally live in the high mountains.
The only true alpine zoo in the country has a home in Big Bear California. Visitors are pleasantly surprised to find such a well kept zoo with such a diversity of unexpected animals. It is well worth it for the visitor to take some time out from other activities when in Big Bear to enjoy and enlighten themselves at the Moonridge Animal Park.

The curator Don Richardson has 23 years of zoo keeping experience and is a licensed California veterinarian. Since taking charge of the Moonridge Animal Park in 1993, he has promoted emergency medical care for animals as well …

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